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The
AIDS epidemic: walking the last mile to make the difference
Year after year, AIDS statistics hit us like a sledgehammer, a forceful
reminder of the uphill struggle against one of the worst afflictions of
humanity. Since the epidemic began, some 65 million people have been
infected, 25 million of whom have died. The chilling death count continue=
s at
a rate of 8,000 a day. While it is true that antiretroviral treatment has
brought hope, this alone is not enough to vanquish the condition. The
epidemic has profoundly weakened or even decimated many poor communities,=
particularly
in Africa. This has shaken the very
foundations of society, with life expectancy plummeting to below 40 years=
in
many African countries. HIV and AIDS places an
unimaginably heavy burden on the poorest families: from the extra costs of
treatment to lost jobs and livelihoods, disrupted family life, orphans, a=
nd
funeral costs. Behind the figures lie myriad personal and family tragedie=
s.
What is needed to restore communities and to prevent others from
shattering? What can be don=
e to
effectively meet the Millennium Development Goal to reverse the deadly
progress of HIV and AIDS, and halve the rate of spread of the virus by 20=
15?
After twenty years’ experience and hundreds of conferences and
seminars, it is time to move beyond the endlessly repeated statistics, an=
d to
face the AIDS challenge head-on with effective specific solutions. We know
what must be done to prevent further infection, expand care, treatment, a=
nd
support, and reduce stigma and discrimination.
These
are inter-related objectives. Effective prevention requires the developme=
nt
of life skills, and good information and social mobilization which will
counter the stigma and discrimination that hampers access to treatment. In
turn, effective treatment and care eases stigma and boosts prevention
through, for example, motivating
people to accept voluntary counselling and testing to learn about
their HIV status and thus get help to look after themselves better and to
protect others.
People
living with HIV and their families are a central focus as their
interaction within society contributes towards and
reflects the success of our collective efforts. In contrast, discrimination and
exclusion fuels further spread of the epidemic and deprives society of the
productive contribution of people living with HIV.
There
is no doubt that focused action is essential. This must be directed at communi=
ties because it is only there that the epidemic will be halted.=
For the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, communi=
ties
are at the heart of our practical and humanitarian mission. But communi=
ty
action depends on the perseverance of individuals coming together for a
common cause, people who make the extra effort to include the marginalized
and vulnerable who would otherwise be left out. Any action that aims to
achieve concrete, practical results at the community level needs one reso=
urce
that is all too often forgotten: someone who is willing and able to walk =
the
last mile. With millions of committed volunteers working in 185 National
Societies around the world, the International Federation of Red Cross and=
Red
Crescent Societies is the world’s largest humanitarian organization,
capable of the necessary large-scale mobilization, if resourced to do so.=
A priority target is wo=
men
and girls. In the context of an increasingly feminized epidemic, <=
b>gender
inequalities have a
direct bearing on personal and social vulnerability to HIV. Women have a
greater biological vulnerability to the virus but the main problem is the=
ir
relative powerlessness. Women often have fewer rights and resources to ca=
ll
upon. They are frequently forced into early sexual activity, are unable to
insist on protecting themselves, and may suffer sexual violence and
exploitation, including being forced to barter sexual favours
for their own survival or that of their families. The big picture is clea=
r:
we will not make a dent in the HIV epidemic unless we get really serious
about tackling the vulnerability of women and girls. That is not all. For=
the
fight against HIV and AIDS to succeed, it is also essential to address ot=
her
vulnerable populations, such as the growing numbers of migrants and
prisoners.
To deliver the greatest impact for vulnerable people, a Global =
Red
Cross Red Crescent HIV and AIDS Alliance is laun=
ched
on this World AIDS Day in order to do more, and do better. =
This wi=
ll
help to advocate for and enable universal access to prevention, care,
treatment and support, and will result in at minimum a doubling of direct
participants and beneficiaries in Red Cross Red Crescent HIV and AIDS
initiatives in low and middle income countries.
The Global
Alliance works through regional initiatives – such as the recently
launched US$300 million Red Cross programme f=
or ten
southern Africa countries which have t=
he
highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Over the next five years, the Red
Cross will convey prevention messages to approximately 50 million people, provide care for 250,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS and provide support to 460,000 vulnerable children, particularly
orphans, across southern Africa. Simil=
ar
scaled-up programmes will be promoted by the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in Asia, the Pacif=
ic,
the Caribbean and Latin America. =
This calls for a “joined-up” effort – to act together at
all levels, from the local to the global and from the human to the politi=
cal.
It is time to do away with scattered, small-scale efforts for a more
effective, integrated response. It is time to walk the last mile to make =
the
difference.
For more
information Contact HIV and AIDS coordinator: Mr. Patrick Thema
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